Cannot Open HEIC on Mac? How to Fix It

If you cannot open a HEIC file on your Mac, the usual cause is an older macOS version that predates HEIC support, or a third-party viewer that does not recognize the format. The fix is to update macOS to High Sierra (10.13) or later, or convert the file to JPEG using the built-in Preview app. Below is everything you need to know about HEIC on a Mac, why it fails, and how to solve it permanently.

What Is HEIC and Why Do You Have It?

HEIC (High Efficiency Image Coding) is a container format that uses HEVC (High Efficiency Video Coding, also known as H.265) to compress photos. Apple adopted HEIC as the default photo format starting with iOS 11 in 2017 because it stores the same visual quality as JPEG in roughly half the file size. When you transfer photos from an iPhone or iPad to a Mac, they often arrive as .heic files.

HEIC is not just a single image format; it can also store image sequences (like Live Photos), depth maps, and metadata. This makes it efficient for modern smartphone photography, but it also means older software that expects a simple JPEG may choke on it.

Why Your Mac Can’t Open HEIC Files

There are three main reasons a Mac fails to open HEIC:

• Outdated macOS: HEIC support was added in macOS High Sierra (10.13) in 2017. If you are running Sierra (10.12) or earlier, the system simply does not know what a HEIC file is.
• Third-party app limitations: Some image viewers, editors, or email clients were built before HEIC existed or never added support. Even on a modern Mac, an old app may show an error or a blank image.
• Corrupted or incomplete file: If the HEIC file was transferred via a method that truncated data (e.g., interrupted upload, faulty cable), it may be unreadable even with full system support.

Note that macOS itself does not need any extra codec to open HEIC—the support is built into the system. If Preview and Quick Look can open the file, the problem is with the specific app you are using.

How to Open HEIC Files on Your Mac (Step by Step)

If your Mac runs macOS High Sierra or later, the simplest way to open a HEIC file is with the built-in Preview app:

1. Locate the .heic file in Finder.
2. Double-click it. It should open in Preview by default. If not, right-click the file, choose Open With, then select Preview.
3. If Preview is not in the list, click Other… and navigate to /Applications/Preview.app.

You can also use Quick Look: select the file in Finder and press the Space bar. Quick Look should render the image instantly.

If your Mac is older than High Sierra, you have two options:

• Update macOS via System Preferences → Software Update. This is the cleanest solution and also brings security patches.
• Convert the file on another device (like an iPhone or a newer Mac) to JPEG before transferring it.

How to Convert HEIC to JPEG Without Extra Software

If you just need a JPEG version of a HEIC photo, Preview can convert it in a few clicks—no third-party tools required.

1. Open the HEIC file in Preview.
2. Go to File → Export… (or hold down Option and click File → Export as JPEG…).
3. In the dialog, choose JPEG from the Format dropdown.
4. Adjust the quality slider if desired (higher quality = larger file).
5. Click Save.

If you have many HEIC files to convert, select them all in Finder, open them in Preview (they will appear in the sidebar), and use File → Export Selected Images… to batch-convert them. This method preserves the original HEIC files, so you always have the high-quality original.

What to Do If Preview Still Won’t Open the File

If Preview fails even on a modern macOS, the file may be corrupted or the transfer may have been incomplete. Try these steps in order:

• Re-transfer the file using a different method (e.g., AirDrop instead of email).
• Check the file size in Finder. A typical iPhone photo is 2–5 MB; if the file is only a few kilobytes, it is likely truncated.
• Try opening it in another app like Photos or QuickTime Player to see if any app can decode it.
• Use a third-party converter like GIMP (free) or an online converter, but only upload files you are comfortable sharing—HEIC files contain metadata like GPS location.

If none of these work, the file is probably damaged beyond repair. You may need to recover it from your iPhone’s Recently Deleted album or re-export it from iCloud.

How to Stop Receiving HEIC Files in the Future

If you prefer JPEG for compatibility, you can change your iPhone’s camera settings to capture in JPEG instead of HEIC:

1. On your iPhone, go to Settings → Camera → Formats.
2. Select Most Compatible instead of High Efficiency.

This makes the iPhone save photos as JPEG. Note that Live Photos and burst mode will also be stored in JPEG, which increases file size. Alternatively, keep HEIC on the phone and set the Mac’s Photos app to automatically convert to JPEG when importing:

• In Photos on your Mac, go to Photos → Settings → General.
• Check the box for Importing: Copy items to the Photos library (this is default).
• Under Transfer to Mac or PC, choose Automatic—this converts HEIC to JPEG when you use the “Import” feature from an iPhone connected via USB.

Note that this only applies when importing through the Photos app; files transferred via AirDrop or Finder remain in their original HEIC format.

HEIC vs. JPEG: Which Should You Use?

HEIC is technically superior to JPEG in almost every way: it offers better compression (about 50% smaller files at the same quality), supports 16-bit color depth, transparency, and multiple images in one file. However, JPEG is universally supported across all devices, operating systems, and web platforms. If you share photos with people using older Windows PCs, Android phones, or web services that don’t handle HEIC, you will run into compatibility issues.

For archival storage on your own Mac, HEIC is a great choice because it saves space and preserves quality. For sharing via email, social media, or printing services, JPEG is still the safer bet. Many services (like Facebook and Instagram) automatically convert HEIC to JPEG on upload, but some older services may reject the file entirely.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does my Mac say “No application can open the file” for HEIC?

This message appears when macOS does not have a built-in handler for HEIC. It happens on macOS versions older than High Sierra (10.13). Update your system to at least High Sierra, and Preview will be able to open HEIC files. If you cannot update, convert the files on another device.

Can I open HEIC files on Windows or Android?

Windows 10 and 11 can open HEIC if you install the HEIF Image Extensions from the Microsoft Store (free). Android devices running Android 9 or later generally support HEIC, but some older models or custom skins may not. When in doubt, convert to JPEG.

Does converting HEIC to JPEG lose quality?

Yes, JPEG is a lossy format, so converting from HEIC to JPEG will reduce quality, especially if you use a low quality setting. However, at high quality settings (90% or above), the difference is usually invisible to the naked eye. The original HEIC file remains untouched if you convert a copy.

Why are my iPhone photos saved as HEIC even though I chose JPEG?

If you changed the camera format to “Most Compatible,” new photos should be JPEG. However, existing photos in your library remain in their original format. Also, some third-party camera apps may still save in HEIC. Check the specific app’s settings.

Is it safe to use online HEIC converters?

It is generally safe for non-sensitive images, but be aware that you are uploading your photo to a third-party server. Avoid using online converters for photos with sensitive content, personal documents, or location data you do not want exposed. For privacy, use offline tools like Preview or GIMP.

Can I set Preview as the default app for HEIC files?

Yes. Right-click a HEIC file, select Get Info, expand “Open with,” choose Preview, and click Change All…. This will set Preview as the default for all HEIC files on your Mac.

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